On Saturday, Phil Wood mentioned that Nationals Park is one of very few MLB stadiums that has a live organist, rather than prerecorded music cues. Matthew Van Hoose, musician-in-residence at American University’s performing arts department, has played the organ at Nationals Park since 2010.

Maybe just buying an occasional brownie point or two with MASN management. Given Wood's past advocacy of baseball in Washington (his was just about the only voice in this area supporting baseball in DC after Morris Siegel died), I never have figured out why Angelos continues to tolerate him on his network...maybe moments like the above are why.

Maybe just buying an occasional brownie point or two with MASN management. Given Wood's past advocacy of baseball in Washington (his was just about the only voice in this area supporting baseball in DC after Morris Siegel died), I never have figured out why Angelos continues to tolerate him on his network...maybe moments like the above are why.

NLDS POST-MORTEM: Phil Wood said that the Nationals can expect a letter from the MLB League office, explaining that the 6 umpires were mistaken for not calling a strike and a dead ball end to the play, when Wieters was hit by the Cubs' back swing, which allowed runs to score and the game to be lost.

There’s another rule that would permit a judgment call, however, and it appears to be the more relevant one in this case. (H/T Better Rule Book.)

This is 6.01(a)(1):

6.01 Interference, Obstruction, and Catcher Collisions

(a) (7.09) Batter or Runner Interference

It is interference by a batter or a runner when:

(1) After a third strike that is not caught by the catcher, the batter-runner clearly hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball. Such batter-runner is out, the ball is dead, and all other runners return to the bases they occupied at the time of the pitch;

This particular rule actually uses language that specifically addresses the situation we had last night (after a called third strike), identifies the relevant parties (batter-runner and catcher), and directs umpires to utilize their judgment (clearly hinders) to determine if the play was affected. Jerry Layne and the umpires used the appropriate rule, and they were correct to use their judgment.

As for whether that judgment was correct, that’s a separate matter...There’s nothing replay or a protest could have or should have done to change the result of the play. As to whether Layne correctly interpreted the rule, concluding that Wieters wasn’t clearly hindered by the shot to the head, that’s up for debate. It was an important play in an important game, and Layne and the rest of the crew might have missed one here. Unless replay is fundamentally changed to allow review of judgment calls, however — and even then, the play probably doesn’t get overturned — there is nothing egregious about the call last nigh

Got a touch of the flu/cold so I've been restless for a few days. I needed some Mike Wallace and Phil Wood (not there today) to exorcise the ague. Turned on the show this morning for background. Larry (caller) was on for 5 minutes ramblin'. Thought it was Sal at first. After Larry hung up, I almost fell out of my chair when Mike used the word "peccadillo". Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeriste then he comes back with "vicey versa". I'm feelin' better already.

I listened to most of the new Dan Kolko show on 106.7 this morning, he kept referencing that he was joining the "WJFK family", but it seemed a lot more like an infomercial than an independent talk show. He was doing live commercials selling Nats tickets, had the Revenue Chief on promoting bobbleheads, and had a series of feel good stories about the Rizzo signing and how Roark is going to have a bounce back year. Not that it was a bad show, I stayed tuned in for most of it, just that it came off as being misrepresented.

I listened to most of the new Dan Kolko show on 106.7 this morning, he kept referencing that he was joining the "WJFK family", but it seemed a lot more like an infomercial than an independent talk show. He was doing live commercials selling Nats tickets, had the Revenue Chief on promoting bobbleheads, and had a series of feel good stories about the Rizzo signing and how Roark is going to have a bounce back year. Not that it was a bad show, I stayed tuned in for most of it, just that it came off as being misrepresented.

Last week he said he didn't like Cincy. Didn't elaborate as to why. Will have to drop him a note. He works for the team. Nuff said.

He works for MASN for his TV gig. I get the feeling he works for the Nats and not for WJFK for his radio job.

Kolko has a radio show on WJFK either very early...like 7 am....on Saturday, maybe Sunday.....it's the only time you can turn on that station and not listen to some idiot fret about who the Redskins are going to take in the coming draft